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Common Canal Boating Q&A's

Q - What if I haven't been narrow boating before?

A - Then we'll be delighted to introduce you to our world. One of our highly experienced customer instructors will take you through how to start the engine, fill up with water, steer, slow down, moor up and navigate locks - basically what does what, how and when. You'll also be taken through basic Health & Safety and Canal Etiquette - the Waterway Code if you like! This will only take between 20-40 minutes and if there's anything you're not sure of, please just ask and we'll go over any point as many times as you need. If you'd like additional training before your holiday, we can offer an RYA approved training course in boat handling. Please call our booking team on 0117 304 1122 for further details.

Q How do I book my boat?

A - To book your holiday, CHECK AVAILABILITY & BOOK ONLINE or call our Booking Team on 0117 304 1122. Any of our expert staff will be pleased to assist you and provide more details and conditions of hire.

Q What's the difference between the sterns?

A - The stern of a cruiser is usually larger and has more open space. Access is easier and there is space for five crew members as well as the steerer. A semi-traditional stern has a larger area for the rear deck protected by solid sides. It offers less weather protection for the steerer but several people can usually sit on the lockers in the deck space.

Q Will my boat have heating?

A - All boats have gas central heating with radiators throughout for cosy year-round cruising. In addition, selected boats feature a multi-fuel stove for extra warmth and comfort during autumn and winter.

Q Can I take pets?

A - Up to two well-behaved dogs are welcome on all of our boats. One pet travels free of charge; the second costs £25.00 per short break or £35.00 per week.

Q Do you supply buoyancy aids?

A - Buoyancy aids are available on arrival at the boatyard. They are not automatically provided as they have to be individually sized for each crew member. We keep a range of sizes to suit adults and children - please request buoyancy aids on your booking form.

Q Do I have to do a Ring Route?

A - You can choose from an out and back cruises (the most commonly selected option) or a Ring Route. Most Ring Routes take between 6 and 10 hours cruising a day, depending on the route chosen and the base you start from. If it is your first cruise or you have young children, we recommend selecting an out and back route so that you can decide how much time you want to spend moving and how much time exploring attractions along the way. There are numerous places to turn your boat (known as "Winding Holes") along the way. For experienced and larger crews, the Ring Routes offer a rewarding and varied holiday with plenty of locks to operate.

Q Can we bring bikes?

A - You are welcome to bring a maximum of two bikes at your own risk, BUT please bear in mind that the only place to store them is on the roof of your boat, so you will need to bring an old blanket or other protective cover to lay on the roof. You will also need to take great care of low bridges and overhanging obstructions. You cannot place the bikes inside the boat at any time (to avoid damage to furnishings), so you will also need to bring a suitable lock and chain to secure bikes when leaving the boat.

Q Where can we park our cars?

A - Your holiday cost includes car parking at the boatyard. Please note, however, that parking space is limited at some yards, so please minimise the number of cars you bring if possible. Parking is at your own risk.

Q Can I bring my hairdryer?

A - Your boat has a 12v electrical supply and you will be supplied a 12v hairdryer as part of your boat inventory.

Electrical appliances

Unlike at home, there is a limit to the power that is available on a boat. Anglo Welsh boats have a device called an “Inverter”, which converts the power from the onboard batteries into a 240-volt supply.

Power is measured in watts. For example, a standard household light bulb uses 60 watts and a kettle can be as much as 3000 watts.

The inverters have a power limitation of 1000 watts, which excludes many domestic electrical appliances. Every domestic electrical appliance has a label on it indicating its power consumption, so, anything above 1000 watts is not permitted. Usually, the following are more than 1000 watts and therefore are not permitted: Kettles; irons; hairdryers; vacuum cleaners; any form of heater.Usually, the following items are less than 1000 watts and therefore can be permitted: Cool-boxes; hair straighteners; curling tongs; blenders; phone and computer chargers.

The golden rules:

• If the appliance is above 1000 watts then don’t bring it onto the boat.• No electrical appliance should be left plugged in unattended.• Only use one appliance at a time.• Wherever possible, run the engine whilst using the appliance so that you are charging the batteries.

Finally, remember that it’s impossible to guarantee that a battery powered supply system will be able to provide a constant supply of power to any electrical device, including and importantly, medical appliances. This is because the batteries are charged when the engine is running; as soon as the engine is turned off, then the electrics will start to run the battery down quite quickly.

If you need to bring an electrical medical appliance with you on holiday, talk to us first.

Q Can I charge my mobile phone/camcorder?

A - Each boat has a 12v car cigar lighter socket for charging phones and camcorders. You just need to bring the same charging cable that you would use in the car.

Q What bedding is provided?

A - All bed linen is provided - sheets, pillows, pillow cases duvets and duvet covers to suit the combination of single and double beds on your boat for each of the crew members.

Q Can we fish?

A - You are welcome to fish subject to holding the appropriate rod/fishing licences for the waterway that you are on but please don't bring live bait onto your boat.

Q Do we have to pay for a licence?

A - Your boat will be licenced for the waterway it is on (Canals or Thames). You will have to pay a visitor licence if taking a boat from the Thames base at Oxford onto the canals or if taking a boat from any other base onto the River Avon or River Thames.

Q Can I cruise at night?

A - Hire boats are not permitted to cruise after dusk or before dawn - you will need to be moored up by nightfall.

Q Where can I moor up?

A - You can moor free of charge anywhere along the canal towpath providing you avoid lock waiting areas or mooring within 50m of bridges. On the Thames and other navigations, mooring sites are provided which may be free for 24 hours or there may be a small charge when mooring on privately owned or managed land (such as National Trust property).

Q How fast does my boat cruise?

A - Your boat will travel at a maximum 3 miles per hour on the canals (comfortable walking pace), but you will need to go slower past moored boats and where the depth of the canal is shallow to avoid creating a wash (wave) that can damage the canal bank. Each lock will take around 20 minutes to negotiate from start to finish.

Q Can I drink and drive?

A - Part of the fun and relaxation is enjoying a drink whilst cruising along. Please remember that for the safety of yourself and others, you must not drive a boat under the influence of excess alcohol. Doing so would also invalidate your damage waiver.

Q How old do you have to be to cruise the boat?

A - The minimum age of the hirer is 18. It is essential that for safety your crew comprises at least two adults. Crew members under 18 may drive your boat under supervision of the hirer or another member of the crew over 18 years of age.

Q What inventory is on the boat?

A - Your boat is fully equipped for self-catering and includes all crockery, cutlery, pots, pans and glasses as well as bed linen and cleaning materials. We will send a full inventory list with your booking confirmation.

Q What time do I pick up and return the boat?

A - Your boat will be ready from 3.00pm and should be returned by 9.00am on the morning of your departure.

Why Anglo Welsh?

40 years providing unique holidays

Modern & spacious fleet – from 2 to 12 berths

Wide choice of locations and routes

For novices & experienced boaters

Flexible booking, no hidden costs

Family friendly, pets welcome

Testimonials

Celebrity Traveller

"As always with these guys, the staff who showed us over the boat were lovely, the boat itself was really comfy and within minutes we were off and cruising."Stan Cullimore from 80's band "The Housemartins"

"Everything about the boat and the instruction was fantastic; and yes, women are better at driving narrowboats as well as cars!!! See you next year!"Judith from Surrey